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Borini prepared for ´intense´ derby

Fabio Borini is hoping to make up for his personal derby disappointment when he meets rivals Everton for the first time as a Liverpool player on Sunday.

The Italian was part of the Roma side that was beaten by local rivals Lazio 2-1 in the Rome derby last season, despite getting on the scoresheet.

But the 22-year-old is looking to draw on his experiences of that fierce encounter to give Liverpool fans bragging rights on Sunday in what he acknowledges is a hugely important game.

"It means more for the city, the club and the fans," Borini told the club's official website.

"I scored in last year's derby at Roma and I could see people all week - and actually the rest of the season - remembering that goal because it was the derby and against the enemy.

"For us, it's an important goal because you see everyone happy for weeks because you scored in the derby. But what we look at is the result and the performance.

"But they were happy with our performance and fighting - that's the derby, you need to show the fight and desire to win."

The striker admits he was well aware of the size of the game before moving to the club and remains confident of victory and narrowing Everton's league advantage.

"I was aware of two teams in Liverpool - obviously Liverpool have always been ahead of Everton," he added.

"This year is a strange derby because they are ahead of us; we'll try to make the gap closer and finish ahead. It will be a very intense derby and I hope it will be a good game."

Borini ended an eight-month wait for a Premier League goal after netting in the 6-0 demolition against Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday, and he now hopes to add to his tally in the club's remaining games after enduring a frustrating season with injuries.

"After that goal [against Newcastle] I was really happy because I was looking for it for eight months from the beginning of the season," the Italy international added.

"It was great to score after all these injuries. Here at Melwood [Liverpool's training ground] they were all happy so it was a really good feeling.

"After everything I've been through this season - the injuries, operations, coming back and being injured again were a big frustration for me to not play and help the team - that goal gave me the confidence for next season and showed to the people what I could do if I wasn't injured."